How bad was it at Nebraska when Bob Devaney took over in 1962? During the previous 21 seasons, only one college team in America racked up more losses than the Cornhuskers.

Nebraskas last winning season had come in 1954. In the five most recent years, a fourth of NUs games had been shutout losses and only four times had Nebraska scored more than 17 points.

But, oh, what a turnaround! Instantly, point production nearly tripled. Devaneys first team went 9-2, and Memorial Stadium became the place to be on autumn Saturdays. Soon, the Corn­huskers would contend for – and win – national championships.

This remarkable reversal was no mere flash in the pan. In the 50 seasons since Devaneys arrival, no team has won more games than the Huskers – and its not even close.

The house that Bob built

What he
inherited ...

1941-1961: Most losses

L

1

Kansas St

152

2

Nebraska

125

3

Idaho

117

4

Columbia

116

4

Montana

116

6

N. Carolina St

115

7

Richmond

114

8

New Mexico St

113

9

Indiana

111

9

Brigham Young

111

10

What he
established ...

1962-2011: Most wins

W

Win %

1

Nebraska

480

78.969

2

Oklahoma

440

74.456

3

Penn State

437

73.946

4

Texas

427

72.720

5

Ohio State

425

75.483

6

Alabama

422

72.813

6

Michigan

422

72.743

8

Southern Cal

413

72.375

9

Florida

408

69.295

10

Georgia

400

68.834

10

Tennessee

400

68.289

HuskerMax celebrates the golden anniversary of coach Robert S. Devaneys arrival at Nebraska with a tip of the fedora to The Bobfather and a sprucing-up of the 1962 game pages, acces­sible at upper right.

We invite you to revisit that ground­break­ing season and to raise a toast to the wry and fiery Irishman who came to Lincoln half a century ago – and changed everything.